National representatives of Save the Children, including actor Jennifer Garner, made a surprise appearance in Bloomfield Wednesday, meeting with school leaders and Bidii Baby Foods to help ensure that children in San Juan County are receiving support for success.
Save the Children began in 1919 after founder Eglantyne Jebb saw the effects that World War I had on children. Today, it continues to protect children from harm and ensure their access to education and a healthy life.
Save the Children first visited students and leaders at Central Primary School. Board member Garner read to students, and the organization’s president, Mark Kennedy Shriver met with leadership about the programming.
“Four sites in Bloomfield have Save the Children classrooms that provide intention though a specially designed curriculum,” Patricia Marquez, federal programs director, said in an email.
The team also met with Leighlynn Yazzie and her daughter, who are receiving the at-home visit aspect of the program.
The home visit program is run by Verlynn Platero, Melodee Velasquez and Bethany Ray, Marquez said.
In their final destination, the team visited the mural at the east wall of Bloomfield’s Kare Drug, which was painted in the summer of 2023 by local artist Luke Paul to bring in community support.
Bloomfield Superintendent Kim Mizell and Bloomfield Schools homeless liaison Selece Gathings joined Marquez in a community meeting at Ojo Amarillo Elementary School.
The national team alongside Central Consolidated Superintendent Steve Carlson spoke about the resources needed in the school districts.
Bidii Baby Foods, a Shiprock-based sustainable food company, was in attendance as well.
Mary Ben, co-founder of Bidii Baby Foods, said in 2023 the farm was the recipient of Save the Children’s Rural Child Hunger Research Grant.
This grant would give them $100,000 to put toward operating support and the farmers who assist them. Save the Children has also provided support in donations and sending their team to help on the farm.
Bidii Baby Foods produces organic, locally grown baby food that might not be financially accessible to rural families. Save the Children can offset those costs, Ben said.
Ben was surprised to hear that Garner, a Save the Children board member, knew about their baby food products.
“Jennifer Garner also has her own baby food company called Once Upon a Farm, so it was just kind of inspirational for us to meet someone who’s created a baby food brand that has similar values to ours,” she said. “It needs to be locally grown and support farmers, be organic and be the best quality nutrients for children.”
Jerrod Noble, Central Consolidated public relations, said the district was grateful for the opportunity to partner with Save the Children and their support in helping achieve the mission of providing the best possible education for students.
“It was truly a wonderful experience focusing on children and having the dignitaries made our work so much more meaningful,” Marquez said.
